Jewish Family Services is looking to give Jewish girls in grades 6-9 that place through a faith-based program called "Rosh Hodesh: It's a Girl Thing!"

"It's designed to help build self-esteem and Jewish identity at an age for girls when self-esteem tends to go down," said Linda Kean, director of family life education for Jewish Family Services. "(Our faith) is an integral part of the program because the girls take a look at the Jewish point of view of each topic."

About 35 girls in three groups are already participating. The program includes discussion and activities.

"These girls come together once a month for two hours for a variety of activities to deal with body image, friendship, loyalty, their lives," Kean said.

The program will have an open house 12:15 p.m. Nov. 14 at Temple Sholom, 3100 Longmeadow Lane, Amberley Village, to introduce girls to the program.

Through a grant from the Fisher Foundation, Jewish Family Services is looking to expand the program.

For information call Kean at (513) 766-3318.

Domestic violence symposium

Jewish Family Services is also addressing another topic of concern for women, domestic violence. The organization, with funding from the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati, will host a symposium open to the public on Monday at Xavier University's Cintas Center, Schiff Family Conference Center.

The session begins with registration and a box lunch at 11:30 a.m. It will address domestic violence in the Jewish community with a keynote address from Rabbi Cindy Enger, director of the Jewish programs at the Faith Trust Institute.

Breakout sessions will address issues of children who witness domestic abuse, abuse of the elderly and deepening the discussion of the problem in the Jewish community.

The symposium is open to the public. Registration is $25 at the door.

The symposium will also include a free in-service for teachers at Yavneh Day School, Kenwood, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, and a free session for rabbis from 9:30 to 11:15 a.m. Monday at the Cintas Center.

Christian singer performs

Christian artist Tara Leigh Cobble will give a free concert 7:30 p.m. Sunday at Faith Evangelical Free Church, 5910 Price Road, Milford.

Cobble is a 24-year-old singer and songwriter from Greeneville, Tenn.

The church will also celebrate its 25th anniversary on Nov. 14 with a community service at Milford High School at 9:15 a.m.

For information, call the church, (513) 831-3770, or visit www.fefc-cinci.org.

Israeli author to speak

Yossi Klein Halevi, the Israeli correspondent for the New Republic and an author, will speak about living with terrorism in the Middle East on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at Adath Israel Congregation, 3201 E. Galbraith Road, Amberley Village.

Halevi, who has been active in Middle East reconciliation efforts, will speak on "Beyond Optimism and Pessimism: Realism in Israel."

"He has made a very personal effort to get to know Christians and Muslims in the Holy Land. He talks about how he came to know and pray with them," said Barbara Glueck, executive director of the Cincinnati Chapter of the American Jewish Committee.

The talk is free to the public.

To submit religion items, e-mail kbvance@adelphia.net or fax (513) 755-4150.